New transport hub expands city centre of Toulouse

IG – Bjarke Ingels Group and A+ Architects unveil design for the 12,000m² Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub in France’s fourth largest city, Toulouse. Located adjacent to the central station Gare Matabiau on the eastern border of the city, the building will expand the city center beyond the Canal du Midi and strengthen its public transport networks by uniting bus, railway and metro under one roof.

As part of Toulouse’s Grand Matabiau Quais d’Oc masterplan, the Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub will revitalize the urban area, facilitate seamless travel, and triple the number of daily passengers travelling to and from the city. Constructed mainly in wood, the hub connects to the central train station in the west and dovetails the city’s pedestrian and bicycle flows towards the east, acting as a link between the city center, the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi and the Périole neighborhood. The building is set to attain Silver Occitanie Sustainable Buildings certification, as well as the Biodiversity Effinature and HQE Infrastructure certification.

From the main entrance canopy in the south, the hub’s structure gradually rises in a sloping movement towards the north, reaching 32 meters in height towards the railway tracks. Local plants and trees are planted in the building and bike station to echo the vegetation of the Haute-Garonne region.

Passing the bus station and entering through the main entrance, travelers are led below ground to Gare Matabiau, railway, metro lines and the transport hub’s hang-out areas. 4,400m² spread across the ground floor and two sub-levels will feature flexible and informal public spaces open to all, including areas for rest. Pursuing low carbon solutions in the design, mass timber, low carbon concrete, and natural ventilation is used throughout, with photovoltaics on the roof. The hub’s two sub-level floors will connect to the 1000-unit open-air bike parking. Construction of the transport hub is set to begin in 2026 with the completion of the underground connection to Gare Matabiau and metro station set for 2028.